Proper 6 (G)

Matthew 14:13-21

¹³ Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ¹⁵ Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶ But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” ¹⁷ They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” ¹⁸ And he said, “Bring them here to me.” ¹⁹ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰ And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. ²¹ And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 

These people have been listening to Jesus well into the evening.  They have been listening to his teachings.  I sometimes wonder what Jesus might have been teaching them.  How did Jesus keep their attention all that time?  Most preachers have difficulty keeping people's attention much longer than 15 minutes.

These people were listening to Jesus all day.  They even brought their sick to him for the purpose of being healed.  Jesus continued to teach them.  Even when the disciples say it is time for bed or to go home, Jesus tells them no.  There is apparently still more to be said.

Jesus Christ uses this opportunity to teach his disciples about daily bread.  He will teach them by means of a miracle.  Jesus tells his disciples first off to feed the people.  Jesus then commands the people to sit down.  They listen as Jesus gives thanks or blesses the bread and fish.  Then all 5,000+ eat their fill of bread and fish, and the disciples collect leftovers.


They listened to Jesus.  The bread and the fish one might even say listen to the LORD.  Since all these people have listened to the Lord they received healing and sustenance to nourish their bodies.  All this comes to them by listening to the Word of God.  We likewise should listen to the word of God.  Jesus will tell us of our redemption and salvation through his sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.